Five things to watch: Washington Huskies spring football

March 3, 2014 9:18 PM

Photo: Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

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Five things to watch: Washington Huskies spring football

Chris Petersen makes his on-field debut as the head coach of the Washington Huskies when the Dawgs gather at Husky Stadium on Tuesday for the first spring practice of 2014. While spring ball is generally a time for program observers to read too much into every session, each member of this Huskies squad will need to make an impression on Petersen and the new staff during the spring to earn a spot on the field in the fall.

In five years under former coach Steve Sarkisian — now at USC — the Huskies went from Pac-12 doormat to the Top 25. How will they fare under Petersen, whose move to Montlake was considered a coup by most experts? We’ll find out starting Tuesday. Click through the gallery to see what we'll be watching as the Dawgs see their first action under the new regime on Lake Washington.

The suspensions of quarterback Cyler Miles and wide receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow following an allege assault were bad PR for a Huskies program that has generated its fair share of off-the-field headlines over the past couple of years. But the worse news, at least on the field, is that both players were expected to play major roles in the Washington offense, with the sophomore Miles the presumed replacement for three-year starter Keith Price.

With Price graduated and Miles out of the picture — at least for now — it leaves sophomore Jeff Lindquist (above) and freshman Troy Williams as the only quarterbacks on the roster for the spring. The good news? Both Lindquist and Williams were highly touted out of high school and could prove to be top-notch players. The bad? Neither has taken a meaningful snap in college.

How does Petersen weather his first storm in Seattle?
The... Photo-5970392.81196 - seattlepi.com

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How does Petersen weather his first storm in Seattle? (continued)

With 17 receptions in the Huskies’ last four games — including a monster 8 catch, 148-yard effort at UCLA with Miles at quarterback — Stringfellow looked poised to break out a year after signing with the Dawgs as the most celebrated recruit of Sarkisian’s 2012 class. With Stringfellow suspended and Kasen Williams sidelined with injury, another player has a chance to step up in spring ball to establish themselves opposite leading receiver Jaydon Mickens (above).

How does Petersen weather his first storm in Seattle? (continued)... Photo-5970393.81196 - seattlepi.com

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Who replaces Bishop Sankey as the Huskies’ workhorse?

To be clear: it’s unlikely anybody replaces Sankey pound-for-pound. After all, all he did in 2013 was set a school record for rushing yards with 1,870 and score 20 touchdowns while shouldering the load for the Dawgs offense. Sankey will be playing on Sundays this fall, but the battle to take his spot will be one of the storylines to watch all spring long.

Who replaces Bishop Sankey as the Huskies’ workhorse?
To be... Photo-5970394.81196 - seattlepi.com

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Who replaces Bishop Sankey as the Huskies’ workhorse? (continued)

Up to five players could conceivably start at running back, but each comes with major question marks. Can senior Deontae Cooper come back strong after three knee surgeries? How about Jesse Callier, a former starter who came back from his own ACL surgery a year ago? Or perhaps sophomore Dwayne Washington (above) who showed potential to be a game breaker with his 11-carry, 141-yard, 2-touchdown effort against Oregon State?

As far as the Huskies’ running back situation goes, there are plenty of intriguing questions, but very few concrete facts.

Junior cornerback Marcus Peters (above, right), a second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2013, is the only sure thing in a defensive backfield that lost starting safeties Sean Parker (above, left) and Will Shamburger as well as cornerback Gregory Ducre. Petersen signed an astounding seven defensive backs in his first recruiting class, but there will be opportunities for some of the veterans to make an impact this spring.

Does someone step up in the depleted secondary?
Junior... Photo-5970396.81196 - seattlepi.com

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Does someone step up in the depleted secondary? (continued)

Former highly-coveted recruits in sophomore Brandon Beaver and freshman Jermaine Kelly, as well as lesser-known players like sophomores Kevin King and Trevor Walker (above) will vie for a place in the lineup. If one or more of them steps up, they could lock down a spot for the entire season. If they don’t, true freshmen like Bellevue’s Budda Baker could challenge for meaningfully playing time this summer.

Does someone step up in the depleted secondary? (continued)... Photo-5970397.81196 - seattlepi.com

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Can the Dawgs avoid the injury bug?

In addition to Kasen Williams, a handful of players — like offensive lineman Dexter Charles (above, center) — will miss all or parts of spring practice due to injury. Keeping the O-line healthy in particular will be a focal point of the Huskies training staff. After all five starters missed time in 2012 with a plethora of injuries, a healthy unit in 2013 brought cohesion to the Washington offense and played a big part in the team’s success. Some injuries can’t be avoided, particularly when players are still learning new systems, but how the Huskies emerge from the five weeks of practice this spring could go a long way to determining the team’s fortunes in the fall.

Can the Dawgs avoid the injury bug?
In addition to Kasen... Photo-5970398.81196 - seattlepi.com

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How do the Huskies adjust to Petersen’s process?

In Boise, Petersen had eight seasons to perfect everything from his teams’ conditioning to their practice schedule to their training table meals. In eight years, Petersen racked up an astounding 93 wins doing things his way. Now, he’ll find out how well his process travels. Will players who came to Seattle for Sarkisian’s laid-back style buy in to Petersen’s past success and pedigree, or will there be an adjustment period while he brings in his kind of guys?

How do the Huskies adjust to Petersen’s process?
In Boise,... Photo-5970399.81196 - seattlepi.com

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How do the Huskies adjust to Petersen’s process? (continued)

In Seattle, Petersen finds himself in the unenviable position of savior. Sarkisian helped bring the program back from dead, but Petersen will be expected to put the Dawgs back on top. Unlike his time in Boise, however, the Huskies will never be the biggest story in town as long as that Carroll guy across the lake keeps leading that professional outfit to championships. How Petersen handles being second-banana in a city now used to winning will be an interesting storyline to keep an eye on throughout his Washington tenure, and it all starts on Tuesday.